Henry & Henry Monument, Second Oldest Business In Marion

The family business of Henry and Henry Monuments started their business here in Marion in 1881 (according to Diana Newcom in a 1999 article).   The picture above is where the business is located today on Hwy. 60 East (Sturgis Road) just outside of town.

The Henry brothers, Rev. John Henry and his brother Sam, started carving stones in the backyard of a home on West Bellville Street in Marion 1881. 

 An advertisement that was in The Crittenden Press soon after they moved to their new location on East Carlisle Street.  (1906)

In 1906 they moved to a commercial site on Carlisle Street where today Barbara Wheeler's antique shop is located.  It was called the concrete building as then there were no street numbers.

This vintage picture was made in the Concrete Building on Carlisle Street.  Monument work used to be done entirely by hand.  Marble was used for the stones then because it was easier to carve, and most of the lettering and art work was done freehand.  Stones carried more wording with family histories and epitaphs.  Much of the lettering was raised, with the stone around the letters being chipped away to give that effect.

Here is an interesting article that appeared in The Crittenden Press in June 12, 1931.
Possibly few people in Crittenden County know that one of the oldest business establishments in Marion is the Henry and Henry  Monument Works now owned by Howard and A. M. Henry.  According to all available records this establishment is, with the exception of the Crittenden Press the oldest business here.

The monument works were first established by the late Rev. J. S. Henry, a Baptist minister, and the father of the present owners.  After the retirement of Rev. Henry the business was conducted for a time by his two brothers, the late A. M. Henry and Sam Henry.  Next came the present proprietors, A. M. and Howard Henry.  Three generations have worked at this trade in the same establishment.  They are Rev. Henry, his sons and grandsons, Searcy Henry, son of Howard Henry, is now employed by the firm.

The monument Works was established before the coming of the railroad to Crittenden County and the rough material for use by the firm was hauled overland from Weston. (shipped down on the Ohio River).  For all these years road signs throughout Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois have kept the public reminded of this long established monument works.

Most of the shipments of rough stone received by the Henry brothers came from the famous granite and marble quarries in the New England states, while other shipments come from Italy, Finland, Scotland and Canada.

At the present time this firm is working on some beautiful memorials which will soon be delivered to customers in Kuttawa, Clay, Livingston County, Webster County, and Southern Illinois towns.
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Today in 2019, the firm is being run by 5th generation of Henry descendants, Billy Fox and his sister, Diana  Newcom.